Phalaenopsis orchid plant named &#39;Snow Virgin&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Phalaenopsis  plant named ‘Snow Virgin’ particularly characterized by flowers which are white with some green/yellow in the labellum; plants which may be propagated economically and uniformly using tissue culture; plants which produce more than one inflorescence; long and sturdy inflorescences; and relatively short, dark-green foliage.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES OF THE PLANT CLAIMED

Phalaenopsis hybrida

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘Snow Virgin’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofPhalaenopsis plant, botanically known as Phalaenopsis of the Orchidaceaefamily, and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘Snow Virgin’.

Phalaenopsis comprises a genus of about 55 species of herbaceousperennials many of which, or the hybrids thereof, are suitable forcultivation in the home or greenhouse. Phalaenopsis is predominantlyepiphytic or rock-dwelling, and is native to tropical Asia, the MalayArchipelago, and Oceania. The species typically has 2-ranked, fleshy,oblong or elliptic leaves affixed to a short central stem (monopodialgrowth), which vary in size from 5 to 8 inches to over 2 feet. Theleaves may be entirely green or mottled with silver grey.

Phalaenopsis orchids, often referred to as ‘Moth Orchids’ in thehorticultural trade, are frequently used to furnish cut flowers for theflorist trade or sold as flowering potted-plants for home orinteriorscape.

Phalaenopsis produces upright or pendent lateral racemes, often withmany showy flowers which open in succession beginning with thelowermost. The flowers possess three sepals and three petals; thelateral ones being alike. The lowermost petal, called the labellum, isthree-lobed and is often more brightly-colored than the other flowersegments. Flower colors include various shades of pink, white, yellowand red-brown.

Phalaenopsis orchids are typically propagated from seeds. Asexualpropagation of Phalaenopsis is often done from off-shoots whichfrequently arise from the lower bracts of the inflorescence. Theresulting plants are detached from the mother plant and may be plantedin a suitable substrate.

The new Phalaenopsis ‘Snow Virgin’ is a product of a controlled breedingprogram conducted by the inventor, René Schoone, in Strengweg,Heemskerk, The Netherlands. The objective of the breeding program was todevelop a new Phalaenopsis cultivar particularly characterized by itsattractive and unique colored flowers, economical propagation via tissueculture, rapid growth, and a plant dimension suitable for packaging andshipping to the market.

The new Phalaenopsis ‘Snow Virgin’ originated from a cross made by theinventor in 2000 in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands. The female orseed parent is the Phalaenopsis cultivar designated ‘Snow Tiger’,unpatented. The male or pollen parent is the Phalaenopsis cultivardesignated ‘Funny Virgin’, unpatented. The new Phalaenopsis ‘SnowVirgin’ was discovered and selected by the inventor as a singleflowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross in a controlledenvironment in 2008 in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands.

Asexual reproduction of the new Phalaenopsis cultivar by tissue culturewas first performed in November, 2008 in Cieweg 13, Heemskerk, TheNetherlands, and has demonstrated that the combination ofcharacteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are firmlyfixed and retained through successive generations of asexualreproduction. The new cultivar asexually reproduces true-to-type.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe unique characteristics of ‘Snow Virgin’, which in combinationdistinguish this Phalaenopsis as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. flowers which are white with some green/yellow in the labellum;

2. plant produces more than one inflorescence;

3. plants may be propagated economically and uniformly using tissueculture;

4. inflorescences are long and sturdy; and

5. relatively short, dark-green foliage.

In comparison with the parental cultivars of ‘Snow Virgin’, the femaleparent ‘Snow Tiger’ has white flowers which are about 10 cm in size; theraceme is about 60 cm. The male parent ‘Funny Virgin’ has white coloredflowers which are about 9 cm in size; the raceme is about 70 cm, whereasthe flowers of ‘Snow Virgin’ are white and about 8 cm in size. Theraceme is about 60 to 70 cm.

Presently, the commercial cultivar to which ‘Snow Virgin’ can bemeaningfully compared is ‘Doremi’. ‘Snow Virgin’ has a lager raceme than‘Doremi’ and ‘Snow Virgin has green/yellow in the labellum, whereas‘Doremi’ has yellow in the labellum.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Phalaenopsis ‘Snow Virgin’ showing the colors as true as isreasonably possible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors inthe photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description, which accurately describe the color of‘Snow Virgin’.

FIG. 1 shows a side view perspective of a typical flowering plant of‘Snow Virgin’ in a 12 cm pot, at 16 months of age.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up view of the typical buds and flowers of ‘SnowVirgin’.

FIG. 3 shows a close-up view of the typical leaves of ‘Snow Virgin’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘Snow Virgin’ has not been observed underall possible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivarmay vary with variations in environment such as temperature, lightintensity, and day length without any change in the genotype of theplant.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the followingobservations, measurements and values describe plants of ‘Snow Virgin’as grown in a greenhouse in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands, underconditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercialpractice. Initially, the ideal temperature to grow plants of ‘SnowVirgin’ is 27° C. during the day and at night. Then, during theflowering phase of ‘Snow Virgin’, the ideal growing temperature is20-22° C. during the day and 18° C. at night. Light levels for growing‘Snow Virgin’ are a minimum of 5,000 lux and a maximum of 10,000 lux. Abalanced fertilizer with level of 200 ppm N, 87 ppm P, 168 ppm K isapplied. Duration of growth of ‘Snow Virgin’ from potting size isbetween 10 and 14 months.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society ColourChart (R.H.S.), 2007 edition, except where general colors of ordinarysignificance are used. Color values were taken under daylight conditionsat approximately noon in Zaandammerweg, Assendelft, The Netherlands. Theage of the ‘Snow Virgin’ plants described is 12 months after potting.

-   Classification:    -   -   Botanical.—Phalaenopsis hybrid.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female or seed parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar designated            ‘Snow Tiger’, unpatented.        -   Male or pollen parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar designated            ‘Funny Virgin’, unpatented.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—tissue culture.        -   Rooting habit and description.—Fleshy; approximately 4 mm-8            mm wide and greyed/green and green in color (RHS 194A and            RHS 137B); freely branching. It takes 12 weeks for plants            growing in tissue culture to initiate roots.-   Plant:    -   -   Size at maturity.—Height (from bottom of pot to highest            flower): about 70-80 cm Spread: about 50 to 80 cm.        -   Growth habit.—standard; green leaves (RHS 137B) and a            relatively normal raceme.        -   Vigor.—moderate.        -   Crop time.—Following asexual propagation, at about 26 weeks            2 leaves appear; at about 30 weeks 3-4 leaves appear; after            a cold treatment of about 4-8 weeks at a temperature of            about 19 ° C. about 2 racemes with flowers appear.-   Foliage:    -   -   Quantity per plant.—About 6 to 10 leaves are produced before            flowering.        -   Arrangement and attachment.—half up/horizontal and on two            sides.        -   Overall shape of leaf.—oval, the tip is blunt and            asymmetric.        -   Texture (upper & underside).—smooth and leathery.        -   Pubescence.—none.        -   Mature leaf length.—about 15 to 25 cm.        -   Mature leaf width.—about 7 to 9 cm.        -   Mature leaf thickness.—about 2 mm.        -   Mature leaf color.—upper side: green (RHS 137B) Under side:            yellow/green (RHS 146B).        -   Leaf base.—acute.        -   Margin.—entire.        -   Venation.—Pattern: parallel Color of midvein: upper side:            green (RHS 137B) under side: yellow/green (RHS 146B).-   Raceme:    -   -   Quantity per plant.—about 1 to 3.        -   Number of flowers per raceme.—about 10 to 22.        -   Length.—about 60 to 70 cm.        -   Diameter.—about 6 mm.        -   Strength.—strong.        -   Aspect.—upright.        -   Texture.—glabrous and smooth.        -   Color.—green (RHS N137A) with yellow/green (RHS 144C).        -   Internode.—Length: about 40 mm.-   Inflorescence description:    -   -   Appearance.—upright to slightly pendant, racemose            inflorescence with bilaterally symmetrical flowers that open            in succession beginning with the lowermost flower.        -   Buds.—Height (from base to tip): about 30 mm Diameter (at            midpoint): about 25 mm Shape: oval with a bump on the side            Color: yellow/green (RHS 145A and RHS 145C) with a little            purple/violet (RHS N81B).        -   Flowering time.—For an untreated plant (flowering plant that            has not undergone cold-treatment where the plant grows at a            temperature of 18° C. to 19° C. for about 4 to 8 weeks after            a period of about 30 weeks at a temperature of 25° C.), 2            racemes appear with about 16 to 20 flower buds and flowers            per inflorescence. First flowers can be expected            approximately 4 to 6 months after planting a plant with a            leaf diameter of 3 to 5 cm. Flowers persistent.        -   Flowering longevity.—On the plant: about 4 to 6 months;            lastingness of cut flowers: has not been observed.        -   Fragrance.—no fragrance.        -   Flower.—Rate of opening: Flowers fully opened about 2 to 3            days after petal and sepal separation. Orientation at            opening: slanted upward and outward. Shape: Typical shape of            Phalaenopsis; see FIG. 2 Size (of single bloom): Height:            about 8 cm Diameter: about 8 cm Depth of tube: about 15 mm.        -   Petals.—Quantity and arrangement: three petals and three            sepals that are trimerous, overlapping and arranged in 2            whorls. Petals are more pronounced than sepals Arrangement:            Inner whorl comprises 3 petals: 2 lateral petals and            labellum. 2 lateral petals: Overall shape: broadly ovate and            weakly cupped Apex: oval with a little notch Margin: entire            and weakly undulate Base: broadly ovate Length: about 60 mm            Width: about 45 mm Texture: Upper surface: smooth and satiny            Under surface: smooth and satiny Color (when fully opened):            upper and under surface: white (RHS NN155C) Labellum:            Overall shape: 3-lobed with 2 prominent callosities at            central junction of the lateral lobes and base of the            midlobe. Lateral lobes of labellum fold upward about the            column; the midlobe extends forward and is terminated by 2            filiform appendages at the apex. Lateral lobes of the            labellum are ovate in shape while the midlobe is triangular            with a bump and a rib on it Margin: entire and weakly            undulate Apex: oval Length: about 20 mm Width (not            flattened): about 23 mm Texture: Upper and under surface:            smooth and satiny Color (when fully opened): Midlobe, upper            surface: main color is white (RHS NN155C). From base upper            edge is orange/red (RHS N34B) and on mid vein a small            orange/red stripe (RHS N34A). At the base, on both sides of            the midvein a purple/violet haze (RHS N81 D). Both corners            and in the center green/yellow (RHS 1 B). Under surface:            upper edges at the base are orange/red and the corners are            yellow/green (RHS 150C). Main color is white (RHS NN155C).            Lateral lobes, upper surface: main color is white (RHS            NN155C). Lower edge is green/yellow (RHS 1B) and yellow (RHS            2B). From base some red/purple stripes (RHS 72A) and some            greyed/orange stripes (RHS 164B). Under surface: main color            is white (RHS NN155C). Lower edge is green/yellow (RHS 1B).            From base upper edge red/purple (RHS 72B) and lower edge            very thin orange/red (RHS N34B). Cirrhi: about 14 mm and            wavy color: first white (RHS NN155C) then yellow (RHS 2C)            Pestle (Callosities): Length: about 5 mm Width (not            flattened): about 8 mm Color: white (RHS NN155C). Front is            yellow (RHS 8C), top is yellow (RHS 8C and RHS 9A).            Red/purple spots (RHS 59B).        -   Sepals.—Arrangement: Outer whorl comprises 3 sepals. Overall            shape: elliptical and weakly cupped Margin: entire and            weakly undulate Length: about 48 mm Width: about 35 mm Apex:            oval; lateral little pointy Texture: Upper and under            surface: smooth and satiny Color (when fully opened): Upper            surface, dorsal and lateral: white (RHS NN155C). Under            surface, dorsal and lateral: white (RHS NN155C) with a            purple/violet haze (RHS N81C). Some lateral sepals also have            a light yellow/green haze (RHS 145C).        -   Pedicel.—Length: about 40 mm Diameter: about 4 mm Texture:            glabrous and smooth Color: white (RHS NN155B) with a purple            haze (RHS N78B) which runs into yellow/green (RHS 145B) and            then into RHS 146C.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Arrangement.—The stamens, style and stigmas are fused into a            single, short structure called the column, possessing one            terminal anther with pollen grains united into a pollinia,            which are covered by an anther cap. The stigma is located            under the column behind the pollinia. The ovary is inferior            with three carpels present. The plant has not produced seed.        -   Column.—Length: about 9 mm Diameter: about 6 mm Color: white            (RHS NN155C).        -   Pollinia.—Quantity: two Diameter: about 1 mm Color: orange            (RHS 24A).        -   Ovary.—Length: about 4 mm Diameter: about 6 mm Color: white            (RHS NN155C).-   Disease/pest resistance/susceptibility: No specific resistance or    susceptibility observed-   Temperature tolerance: Tolerant to a low temperature of about 15° C.    and to a high temperature about 30° C.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct Phalaenopsis plant named ‘SnowVirgin’, as illustrated and described herein.